Manchester United defender Eric Bailly expects to build on Chelsea performance

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has suggested that he expects to only get better after his return to first-team action on Monday night.

Despite being a surprise inclusion against Chelsea after a long period on the sidelines, Bailly was arguably United's star performer in a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

The Ivorian had been expected to return last month, but the centre-back has indicated that he has been pushing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to hand him an opportunity to impress.

Bailly told the South Morning China Post: "It's not easy when you don't play for so long, but it only gets easier by playing games.

"I have been telling the manager that I want to play. I've been working hard and a bad, long, injury. I've been ready to play for a week and told the manager that. I took a few minutes to settle when the game started.

"I was nervous if I'm honest after so long away because it was almost a year when I was injured against Chelsea, but then things went OK. I felt the support from my teammates and my manager which is important."

Bailly's next appearance is likely to come against Watford on Sunday afternoon.